en·ve·lope ( n v -l p ,  n-)n. Idiom: 1. A flat paper container, especially for a letter, usually having a gummed flap. 2. Something that envelops; a wrapping. 3. Biology An enclosing structure or cover, such as a membrane or the outer coat of a virus. 4. The bag containing the gas in a balloon or airship. 5. The set of limitations within which a technological system, especially an aircraft, can perform safely and effectively. 6. The coma of a comet. 7. Mathematics A curve or surface that is tangent to every one of a family of curves or surfaces. push the envelope 1. To increase the operating capabilities of a technological system. 2. To exceed the existing limits in a certain field; be innovative. [French enveloppe, from envelopper, to envelop, from Old French envoloper; see envelop.] Usage Note: The word envelope was borrowed into English from French during the early 18th century, and the first syllable acquired the pronunciation ( n) as an approximation to the nasalized French pronunciation. Gradually the word has become anglicized further and is now most commonly pronounced (nv-lp). The earlier pronunciation is still considered acceptable, however. A recent survey reveals that the (n-) pronunciation for the word envelope is used by 30 percent of the Usage Panel and is recognized as an acceptable variant by about 20 percent of those Panelists who normally use the (n-) pronunciation. Other similar words borrowed from French in the modern period include envoy (17th century), encore, ennui, ensemble, entree (18th century), entourage, and entrepreneur (19th century). Most retain their pseudo-French pronunciations, with the exception of envoy, which, like envelope, is mainly pronounced with (n) now. |
envelope [ˈɛnvəˌləʊp ˈɒn-]
n
1. a flat covering of paper, usually rectangular in shape and with a flap that can be folded over and sealed, used to enclose a letter, etc.
2. any covering or wrapper
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology any enclosing structure, such as a membrane, shell, or skin
4. (Engineering / Aeronautics) the bag enclosing the gas in a balloon
5. (Mathematics) Maths a curve or surface that is tangent to each one of a group of curves or surfaces
6. (Electronics) Electronics the sealed glass or metal housing of a valve, electric light, etc.
7. (Physics / General Physics) Telecomm the outer shape of a modulated wave, formed by the peaks of successive cycles of the carrier wave
push the envelope Informal to push the boundaries of what is possible
[from French enveloppe, from envelopper to wrap around; see envelop; sense 8 from aeronautics jargon, referring to graphs of aircraft performance]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  envelope - a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.container - any object that can be used to hold things (especially a large metal boxlike object of standardized dimensions that can be loaded from one form of transport to another) window envelope - an envelope with a transparent panel that reveals the address on the enclosure |
| 2. | envelope - any wrapper or covering | |
| 3. | envelope - a curve that is tangent to each of a family of curves curve, curved shape - the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes | |
| 4. | envelope - a natural covering (as by a fluid); "the spacecraft detected an envelope of gas around the comet" covering, natural covering, cover - a natural object that covers or envelops; "under a covering of dust"; "the fox was flushed from its cover" | |
| 5. | envelope - the maximum operating capability of a system (especially an aircraft); "test pilots try to push the envelope" operating capability, performance capability - the capability of a technological system to perform as intended | |
| 6. | envelope - the bag containing the gas in a balloon bag - a flexible container with a single opening; "he stuffed his laundry into a large bag" balloon - large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air |
envelope
Translations
envelope
envelope [ˈɛnvələʊp] n → busta
in a sealed envelope → in busta sigillata or chiusa
envelope [ˈɛnvələʊp] n → busta
in a sealed envelope → in busta sigillata or chiusa
in a sealed envelope → in busta sigillata or chiusa
envelope [ˈɛnvələʊp] n → busta
in a sealed envelope → in busta sigillata or chiusa
n envelope [ˈenvələup]
a thin, flat wrapper or cover, especially for a letter The letter arrived in a long envelope. koevert غِلاف плик obálka konvolut; kuvert der Umschlag φάκελος sobre ümbrik پاکت نامه kuori enveloppe מַעֲטָפָה लिफाफा omotnica, omot (levél)boríték amplop umslag busta 封筒 봉투 vokas aploksne; apvalks sampul surat envelop konvolutt koperta envelope plic конверт obálka kuverta koverat kuvert ซอง zarf 信封 конверт; обгортка لفافہ phong bì 信封
envelope → مغلف obálka konvolut Briefumschlag φάκελος sobre kirjekuori enveloppe koverta busta 封筒 봉투 envelop konvolutt koperta envelope конверт kuvert ซองจดหมาย zarf phong bì 信封
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